Affliction was written based on trauma, pain, and heartache in the form of poetry. I took my life’s struggles and made poems. I have been doing that my whole life. Whenever I was sad, mad, happy, or even confused, a man who became a father figure to me and a mentor would tell me to put it in a notebook. With his encouragement, that’s where it began. For the past thirty years, I battled so many demons. The title Affliction is defined as pain and suffering. I want my pages to speak my truth but also connect with my readers. I feel the hurt you’re feeling. Mentally and physically, I have been through a lot in this life. You’re not alone. I am diabetic, and at times I battle fear and so many emotions while dealing with injections. I have been a type 1 diabetic since the age of six. But through all my afflictions, I am here, I am a survivor. Without those afflictions, I wouldn’t be the mother . . . wife . . . sister . . . best friend . . . daughter . . . granddaughter . . . college graduate . . . career-driven woman that I am today. I can say, “Yes, I made it!” I made it through all that pain, and even despite being sabotaged at times throughout my career. Every day, as the sun sets and I open my eyes, I am working on being a better me. I want my readers to know that no matter the race, ethnicity, or sex, when you’re battling so much and can’t fathom the thought of existing or want to give up, I want you to know that I see you, you will get through this, and I love you.